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Fact Sheet: Ramsar Convention on Wetlands As released by the Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, Department of State, August 18, 1998.

The "Convention on Wetlands of International Importance Especially as Waterfowl Habitat" is an intergovernmental treaty that was adopted in 1971 in Ramsar, Iran. It entered into force in 1975. One of the first global environmental treaties to be negotiated, it has come to be known as the Ramsar Convention. Its original focus has broadened from habitat protection for waterfowl to cover all aspects of wetlands conservation and fresh water issues. Ramsar recognizes wetlands as ecosystems that are very important for biodiversity conservation and for the benefit of human communities. Ramsar’s definition of wetlands encompasses five major wetland systems: coastal wetlands (including coral reefs), deltas, tidal marshes, mangrove swamps, wetlands associated with lakes, wetlands along rivers and streams and marshes, swamps and bogs.

There are currently 110 contracting parties. To join, a country must designate at least one wetlands area that meets the criteria for inclusion on the List of Wetlands of International Importance and agree to implement wise use guidelines for wetlands management. Ramsar commitments are voluntary; there are no sanctions. There are now over 900 sites covering more than 150 million acres worldwide. The United States, which joined the Convention in 1986, has 15 designated Ramsar sites which include well-known areas such as the Chesapeake Bay Estuarine Complex, Everglades National Park, Delaware Bay Estuary, and four national wildlife refuges (NWR) in Nevada, Georgia, Florida and Wisconsin.

The OES Bureau supports the Ramsar Convention through core budget funding, assistance to the triennial Conferences of Parties (COPs), and participation in Standing Committee meetings, regional meetings and the COPs. The Ramsar Secretariat is located in Gland, Switzerland. The next Conference of the Parties will be held in San Jose, Costa Rica, in May 1999. OES coordinates the interagency process to prepare the U.S. delegations that participate in Ramsar meetings.

Wetlands for the Future

In cooperation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, OES funds a "Wetlands for the Future" initiative which has provided small grants for training in wetlands management in the Western Hemisphere since 1994. This very successful program has enhanced the capabilities of wetlands managers, both present and future. The initiative also provides funding for increasing computer capability and information sharing via the Internet to link wetlands managers at various sites in the Neotropics.

For further information on the Ramsar Convention, visit these other web sites:

Ramsar Convention on Wetlands
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

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